Seat positioning device



May 26, 1931. o. 4THoMPsoN SEAT POSITIONI-NG ADEVIGE Fled Deo. 1927 7SheecS-Sheet 2 IIIII ee 0//3 7kg/sa llllllllll l l. will w May 26, 1931L. o. THOMPSON SEAT POSITIONING DEVICE Filed Dec. l5.' 1927 l 7Sheets-Sheet 3 atbomwq May 26, 1931. l.. o. THOMPSON 1,807,579

SEAT PosITloNING DEVICE Filed Deo. 15. 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I gwuemtovMay 26, 1931. L.. o. THOMPSON SEAT POSITIONING DEVICE Filed Dec. l5,1927 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 lMu w .wmuu

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L.. O. THOMPSON SEAT PosITloNING DEVICE May 26, 1931.

7 Shets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 15. 1927 l ee O/ls 771 :amy S00 @gli May 26,1931. L. o. THOMPSON A n 1,807,579

I SEAT POSITIONING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15. 1927 7 sheets-sheet f7 PatentedMay 26, 1931 UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEAT POSITIONING- DEVICEApplication led December 15, 1927. Serial No. 240,274.

My invention relates to my United States patent application, SerialNumber 149,748 iiled November 20, 1926, upon a seat positionm ingdevice, which said application is now pending in the United StatesPatent Oce.

My invention consists primarily of a group of seat sections, eachgrouppreferably comprising two rows or two partial rows of seats withseats in each row; each seat adapted'to Aif) movement in a horizontalplane in either direction, in either row with selective means forpositioning any desired seat within either row of the group andpositioning the same at the aisle; the manipulation being accomplishedfrom a central station disposed at the aisle or from a position at theseat; power means being provided for the manipulation and movement ofthe seats.

The primary object of my present inven- ,20 tion is to provide meanswhereby the theatre patron may temporarily occupy an aisle seat onentering the theatre and may also leave the seat from an aisle position.

A further object of my new and improved device consists in the movementof each group of seats in a horizontal direction, in either direction,in each row and from one row to the other with a full row of seats ineach row.

Still further objects of my invention, con- ,30 sist inproviding powermeans for manipulating the seats by means that are quiet in theiroperation, economical of construction, simple in operation, that may bemanipulated by inexperienced occupants and that is practically free fromharmful hazards to the patrons of the theatre and the occupants of theseats.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists incertain novel features of construction and combinationl of parts, theessential elements of which are set forth in the appended claims, and apreferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter shown withreference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of thisspecification.

ln the drawings: Fig. l is a top, plan view, of two rows of seatsections comprising one group of seats to be operated as a series.

Fig. 2 is an end, sectional view, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l looking inthe direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the main casting lay out andthe guideways disposed therein for the manipulation of the seat sectionsof the seats, and the series of seats comprising each unit, the samebeing taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated.

4 is a fragmentary, sectional, end elevation of a part of the guidewaysthrough which the seat sections are operated.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, top plan view, of one of the guideways for themanipulating and driving chain and illustrating the driv ing elements,as sprockets, disposed within suitable bearings at either side thereof,for driving the chain, the same being taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 6,looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevation of the assembled device,the same being made with the seat detached.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentar, top, plan view, taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 2,looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatical lay-out of the electric controls.

Fig. 9 is an end, sectional view, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8, lookingin the direction indicated.

Fig. 10 is a sectional, side elevation, taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9,looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. l1 is a diagrammatical lay-out of the electric control mechanismdisposed at the aisle station for selectively positioning any desiredseat within the series to an aisle position.

Fig. 12 is a detail section view of an electric switch forming part ofthe electric control mechanism.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the severalviews.

In my new and improved device, I form a series of guideways asillustrated in Fig. 3, through the use of which the seats to be movedand manipulated are caused to follow through prescribed pathways.

Referring to Fig'. 2: 1 is an electric prime mover having a shaft 2extending therefrom upon which a speed reduction element, as a worm 3,is disposed. The worm 3 coacts with the worm wheel 1 which is disposedupon the vertical shaft 5. The vertical shaft 5 is the driving` or powershaft. Bisposed upon the drivin g shaft 5 are two driving` elements Gand Z about which silent driving` chains S and 9 pass. These driving`chains are preferably made of a flexible relatively high speed typebecause of the accuracy of transmission required and because of thecharacter of work for which the same is intended. These drivinftr chainsrespectively pass about sprockets 1() and 11 which are disposed upon thevertical shafts 12 and 13. The shafts 12 and 13 are disposed withinbearings passing through channel ways, or raceways 1e and 15, which areprovided with hubs 16 and 1T disposed upon their bases through which theshafts pass. rlhe lower ends of the shafts 12 and 13 pass through thebase 1S, thus stabilizingthe same. Bearings are disposed adjacent eithercud of the shafts 12 and 13 thus maintaining the same in position andalignment. rlhe channels or raceways 111 and 15, each have upturned sidewalls the object of which is to form a raceway througrh whichdrivingchains are made to operate for the furnishing of the motive powerfor the moving,r of the seats within their predetermi ed pathways.

Referring` to Fie'. 2: l have shown seats 19 and 2O occupying; adjacentrows in a series, and as stated in the preamble of this application; itis the purpose of my invention to move seats of the series in eitherdirection in either row and from one row to the other. This isaccomplished primarily by the fact that the electric prime mover 1 isadapted to be rotated in either direction. rl`he seats are mounted upona platform 21 lThe platform 21 has a spindle 22 downwardly extendingfrom the base and t rminat-ing on its lowei` end in a ball bearing,` 23.rlhe ball bearing` 23 rests upon the base.v and is adapted to t avelwithin a pathway adapted to receive the ball and to ggiiiide the sametlierealong. l'ownwardly extending from the platform 21 are supports 2land each having a depression in the lower end thereof having' seatedtherein ball bearings and 27 respectively a lapted to ride withinraceway or trackwavs 28 and 29. l 'i Mounted upon the drivingv shaft 5.is sprocket Fri, illustrate( in Fie. 2, and mounted upon the driii'ine'shaft 12 and 13 respectively also illustrated in Fig'. 2. are sprockets30 and 31. which two last sprockets respectively have chains andcoacting therewith, which are adapted to beine` driven thereby. Eachspindle 22 is provided with a sprocket free to revolve thereon.Attention is here called to Fig. 7, also to Figs. 4, 5 and 6. ln Fig. 7,the giiideways 111 and 15 are seen to be opposite straight sides of anendless guideday 37 A cross section of this guideway is shown in Fie'.11. The guideway proper is located in the depression between the chainsand 35. Running along` and around the inner wall of the pgiiideway 3T anendless chain 35, which meshes with and is driven by the sprocket 5A.llfithin the curved ends 37A and 37B of the puideway 37 are stationarychains or racks 3G and 33A. Parallel to the side 1li of the guidewayruns the endless chain 32 meshing; with and driven by the sprocket 31,and parallel with the side 15 runs the endless chain 33 meshing` withand driven by sprocket 31. rlhe sprockets 30 and 31, as heretofore setforth are driven from shaft 5 mountingi sprocket 5A, and revolve .in thesame direction as does sprocket 5A.

Viewingv 7, let it be assumed that the sprockets 5A, 30 and 31 arerevolif'ing` clockwise, the upperside 35A of the chain 35 will movetoward the riht, and the lower side 35B, toward the left. The upperside3211 of chain 32 will more to the right, and the lower side 32B, to theleft and opposite to the movement of the upperside 35A of chain 35.Likewise the upperside 3321 of chain will move to the right andopporiitc the direction of the lower side 35B of chain wiiicli as beforestated moves to the left, and the lower side of chain 33 will move totheleft. ln the description to follow of the cooperation of chains 32 and35, it may be considered that this description applies equally well tochains 33 and 35.

As before stated sprockets 34e are mounted to freely revolve uponspindles 22, each of which project downwardryy beneath each platform 21,therefore, the movement of a sprocket 34; about the guidewav 37 willcause a corresponding: .movement of the spindle, platform, and a chaircarried by the plat form.

rEhe chain carries each sprocket about the guideway in the direction ofits rotation, which in this case is clockwise. lf the sprocket is in oneof the straight stretches of gniideway for example 1l, it will mesh withboth chains 35 and 32. rThe chain 35 is moving to the right, and thelower side 32B of chain 32 is moving; to the left. If these two chainsmove at the same rate of speed, the sprocket 3 will merely revolve andwill not travel alongl the guideway. lf chain 32 moves at lesser speedthan chain 35, the sprocket will revolve, and in addition thereto willtravel along the LCgnideway in the direction that chain 35 moves, but ata speed considerably less than the speed of that chain. However if chain32 were capable of remaining stationary while chain 35 moves, thesprocket 3-1 would travel faster than before, but still at considerablyless speed than chain 35. The sprockets 311 when traveling in the curvedportions 37A and 37B mesh with the racks 36 and 36A.

T he movement of the chains 32 and 83 is considerably slower than themov ment of chain 35, so that the sprockets 34 traveh ing in the curvedportions 37A and 37B mesh with the racks 3G and 86A.

The movement of the chains 32 33 is considerably slower than themovement of chain 35, so that the sprockets 34 will move in the curvedsections 37A and PE2/"l at a considerably greater rate of speed than inthe straight sections 14 and l5. An explanation of the purpose or reasonfor increasino' the rate of speed of travel of the sprockets t-hey movearound the curved portions of the guideway will now be given.

Fig. l, shows the seat rows installed in, for instance a theatre. Theseat rows A. and B comprise a cooperating unit, as do rows C and D, androws E and F. These rows are positioned upon an inclined floor G, sothat the guideways are positioned transversely at an inclination to thehorizontal, thereby elevating the rear row of seats somewhat above thefront row. This is particularly shown in Fig. 2. This figure shows thatthere is a vertical clearance between the rear end of front platform 2land the front end of rear platform 2l, this clearance will hereafter berererred to as the vertical clearance. The seats rowsA and B are eachprovided with a` spindle 22 moving guideway 8l (concealed beneathplatforms 2l), assuming a clockwise moi/'ement of chain 37 (concealedbeneath platforms 2l), assuming a clockwise movement of chain 37(likewise concealed) row A moves to the right as indicated by the arrow,and row B moves to the left as indicated by an Seat A of row A hasarrived at the curved section 37A. of the guideway and its speed. oftravel is here accelerated, and it here de parts from its straightcourse heretofore taken and describes an arcuate course and moves towardrow B. The course of A. is indicated by the arcuate arrow covering it.The seat B in row B perform a li ie movement and travels toward row A.The vertical clearance above referred to allows platform 21A to moveover and past platform 21B. ln rows E and F, the movement of aaseat fromone row to the other is shown half completed. The seat E is moving asshown by the arcuate arrow covering it. lt is necessary that themovement of a seat from one row to another be accelerated in order toprovide clearance between it and the adjacent seat of the row it isleaving. There are four balls which support each platform 21, of whichtwo each 26 and 27 move within endless trackways 38 and 39. In order toprovide for the continuous passage within the slot or guideways 37 andto permit of the ball kbearings of the seat passing continuously aroundthe endless trackways 38 and 39 and to further provide for thecontinuous and uninterrupted movement of the seats between associatedseat rows7 the trackways 3S and 39, within which the spindles supportingthe seat platforms 2l tavel, are pro-vided with devices whereby saidspindles may cross and recross guideway 37. These devices consist ofsegments 41,42, 43, and 44 illustrated in Fig. 3, which are normallydisposed within the line of travel of the spindle adapted to beingactuated within the guideway 3T. Each of these segments are maintainedin normal position, through the action of a spring 4o. Each of thesegments have sloping side walls 4G and 47, against which the spindlesengage thereby moving the segments out of normal position for asmiicient time to permit of the spindle to pass thereby. lmmediatelyafter thespindle has passed the spring 45 returns the segment to normalposition. To prevent a too abrupt return of the segment into position,after the spindle has passed the oppositely disposed sloping surface ofeach segment engages the spindle, thus permitting it to silently andquietly return to normal position.

' ln my new and improved device I have shown a mechanism that is adaptedto control the operation of sir: seats in each row and two rows of seatsfor each control unit, there being an electric motor to furnish theoperatingpower for each set of two rows of seats. F or each set of seatsthere is a control station disposed at the aisle for the convenience ofthe ushers as well as for the convenience of the patrons of the theatre.The control station has two operating heads or banks having sets ofkeys, with each key representing a particular seat location. The controlstation is preferably disposed upon a standard that is disposed at theaisle location. The standard is represented at 48 in Fig. l and theheads at 49 and 50 with a multiple of control buttons disposed uponea-ch head. Since there are six seats disposed in each row and since oneseat will always be disposed at the aisle it is necessary to provide butlive buttons within each head. The control buttons adapted to actuatethe front row of seats are shown at 51 and the buttons adapted tocontrol the rear set of seats are represented at 52. In normal conditionthe electric motor is dead. lf it were desired to move the fourth seatto the aisle position the occupant of that seat will push the buttondisposed upon the fourth seat 58 from the aisle of the front row, thebutton being represented at 54. A push rod 96 is disposed and extendsdownwardly from the arm of each seat and contacts with the push button54 with which it is in registerable alignment, it being normally held inan elevated position through the action of the spring 97. The depressingof the button 54 by the push rod 96 completes an electric circuit. Thedepressing of this button closes an 'cti f vide a means for electriccircuit passing through the electric motor l and the same is energizedand the motor remains energized until the cycle of operation iscompleted and the seat 53 has been positioned at the aisle location.During the movement of the seats, seats 55, 5G, and 57 will move to therear row and seats 5S, 59, and 60 will be transterred from the rear rowto the iront row. A speed reducer consisting of a worm on shaft meshingwith worin wheel Gl disposed upon the shatt 62 leading to the controlbox 63 operatively connects the drive shaft 5 with shaft 62. The controlboi: 63 is so located as to beV available for adjustment and repair butlocateo out ot position so as not to be available tor being` manipula'ed by the theatre ushers or the patrons ot the theatre. series oielectric controls are disposed in the bei: with a set oiE controls toreach row ot seats and, as here described, there being two sets otcontrols in each control box. lllhen it is desired to move from seat 53the button disposed adjacenthe arm ot this seat is actuated and in theactuation of the A same the motor is energized. rl`he operating electriccurrent flows trom a source not here shown through the electric wiresG-l and 65. The current tiows through the conductor 6G switch 67,conductor 68 and through the switch 54, through the contact point 69 andy the solenoid 70. rlhe current iassin 0' throufrh the solenoid 70actuates the core 71 to the position shown in full line in Fig. 11. Asthe switch 5a is only momentarily closed lt prolreeping the electriccircuit through the solenoid 70 closed by bridging the contact points 69and 72 with the contact bar 7 3 mounted upon the core 7l. Electricenergy will flow through conductor 73A through solenoid 70 to theconductor 74:, in the direction indicated by the arrow illustrated inFig. 11 to the solenoid 75 through the conductor 7 G. This last solenoidcloses the reverse switch 77 as shown in Fig. 11. The control currentthen Hows from solenoid 7 5 through conductor 78 to switch 7 9, solenoid8O and returned to the electric conductor 65. The switch 7 7 is areversible switch, and the actuation of the same trom the front or backrow predetermines the direction et rotation ot the electric motor l.rlhe switch 77 is held in the normal position of an open switch by thespring` 8l. rlhe spring Sl returns the switch to the normal or openposition upon the completion ot each cycle ot' operation. The completionoi each cycle of operation permits spring tension to return the solenoidcores to their normal position also. To provide a tactor ot safety tothe controls and to prevent the actuating` of other control buttonsduring the operation of the device, and to further insure the completionof the cycle of operation heretofore set in motion have provided meansadapted to prevent the actuating ot any controls during the period ofthe occupant leaving the seat. When the occupant of the seat rises tolea-ve the seat the platform 83 is depressed by his weight opening thusthe switch 84 thereby breaking the motor circuit. rl`he switch 84 isshown in Fig. l2 and consists ot a casing having a plunger 84A operatingthrough the top which is engaged by a finger SSA extending downwardlyfrom the platform 83. lllithin the casing are a pair of contactingmembers 84B and 84C provided respectively with circuit connectors 84Eand 84D. Electric circuit connection is made with these two connectors.The contact member 841C is capable ot being moved downwardly away 'frommember SAB to open the circuit, which downward movement is caused by adownward movement oi 84A which ot course is transmitted by 83A 'fromplatform 83. The breaking ot the motor circuit through the depressing otthe platform S3 prevents the starting ot another cycle et operationuntil the plat- Jorm 83 is returned to normal position through theaction of the compressed spring 85. To further prevent the reversing ofthe motor when a cycle of operation has been started I provide a switch67 that normally closes the circuits leading to both control heads foreach row ot seats.

The ctuating ot the switch 67 in one direction breaks the controlcircuit in the other circuit until the cycle ot operation .has b ncompleted. This is accomplished by the core of the solenoid 8G pullingthe switch 67 to the posi illustrated in Fig. ll opening the contacts87, which in the position described, brezil-Ts the circuit leading` toand from the rear seat control thus making it inoperative .tor the cycleof operation.

iivlhen the power shaft 5 is set in rotation by the starting ot theelectric motor l, the same rotates the shaft 62 within the control box.rhe shaft (32 has a multiple ot discs 88 secured thereto, Each dise hasa series ot openings 90 disposed therein which are in register-ablealignment with the core ot the solenoid 80. rlhe entering ot the core 91ot the magnet within the opening 90 ot the disc 88 Ywill rotate the arm92 to which the solenoid S0 is secured in the direction of the arrow.Arm 92 carries the switch 79. When the outwardly extending lug 93disposed upon the switch arm 7 9, which is in registerable alignmentwith core 7l, contacts therewith., as the same is rotated, this breaksthe electric control circuit and the cycle of operation is completed andthe spring 94 returns the arm 92 to normal position against the stop 95,as illustrated in Fig. 9.

The cycle ot operation heretofore described was cycle ot operation setin motion from a seat position. A cycle of operation may also be set inmotion trom the aisle standard by the depressing of any one ot thebuttons disposed in either ot' the operating heads repian resenting therespective seats, disposed in either row of seats, representing theseries of seats of that respective series. Vi7hen this is done the cycleof operation will be accomplished in a similar manner to that heretoforedescribed.

While the form of mechanism herein show and described is admirablyadapted to fuliill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat it is not intended to coniine the invention to the one form ofembodiment herein shown and described, as it is susceptible ofembodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow:

lWhat l claim is:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of an endlessguideway, a series of seats having downwardly extending spindles thatare adapted to being manipulated along the guideway, in eitherdirection, supporting elements disposed upon the base of each seat, saidsupporting elements adapted to engage in and follow predetermined path,driving elements and driven elements adapted to move all of the seats inthe series simultaneously and means for moving a part of the seats at ahigher rate of speed than the remainder of the seats within the series.

2. ln a device of 'the class described, the combination of an endlessguideway, a series of seats comprising two rows of seats, each having adownwardly extending` spindle adapted to being moved within theguideway, a sprocket dispos d upon the spindle, driven chains adapted toengage the sprocket and to impart lateral movement thereto on a part ofits travel along the guideway and a gear segment adapted to engage oneside of the sprocket on a part of the circumference of the gudeway, andselective means for predeter-l mining the direction of travel of theseats of the series.

3. in a. device of the class described, the combination of a supportingplatform having groovesdisposed therein and an endless guidewayextending therethrough, a series of two rows of seats superposed uponthe platform each seat having supporting elements adapted to engage thegrooves and each seat having a spindle adapted to the guideway andextending therethroneh, a driving element disposed upon the spindle,means coacting with the driving element for imparting lateral movementthereto at dierent rates of speed during the circuit of the guideway andmeans for imparting movement to all of the seats of the seriessimultaneously and means for predetermining the stop position of anyseat of the series.

il. In a device of the class described, the combination of a seatsupporting platform, said platform having pathways disposed on theLipper surface thereof, and an endless guideway extending therethrough,a series of two rows of seats arranged in parallel rows superposed theplatform and supporting elements disposed between the seats and theplatform, and adapted to engage the pathways, a downwardly extendingcentral spindle extending through the guideway, power means adapted toengage the spindle and to move the saine, and means for pred-eterminingthe stop position of a selected seat.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a platform,grooves disposed in the upper surface of the platform and an ellipticalguidewav disposed therethrough, a series of two rows of seats superposedon the platform and seat supports disposed between the platform and theseats, said seat supports adapted to engage and follow within thegrooves disposed within the platform, a spindle depending from the seatand extending through the platform within the guideway, and means formoving the series of seats in .either direction relative to the` groovesand the guideway.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a platformhaving grooves disposed in the surface thereof and a guideway disposedtherethrough, a multiple of seats superposed on the platform andarranged in a series of two rows, means for supporting the individualseats relative to the grooves and to the passageway, means for movingthe seats of each row in either direction and means disposed adjacenteach seat and'at a central position adapted to set in motion a cycle ofoperation that will position the selected seat to the nearest aisleposition.

7 In a device of the class described, the combination of seat supportingelements, a series of seats. disposed upon the seat supporting elements,means for imparting lateral movement to the series and a startingstation disposed adjacent each seat and a central station adapted tostart the movement and means for predetermining the stop position of theseats when movement is imparted thereto.

8. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a series ofseats arranged in two parallel rows with an equal number of seats ineach row, a predetermined path of travel for the seats., means formoving the seats within the path of travel and an individual startingstation disposed adjacent each seat and a central starting station andmeans for predetermining the stop position of each movement started.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of two rows ofseats, supporting elements for the seats, means for imparting horizontallateral movement to the seats within a predetermined travel path, astarting station disposed at each seat location and a central startingstation and means for predetermining the stop position of any seleotedseat.

lli)

l0. In a device of the class described, the combination of two rows ofseats arranged in series, supporting elements for the seat series,

, means for imparting movement to the series through the medium of anelectric prime mover, means for predetermi'ning the path to betraveledoif each seat in the series, an electric starting stationdisposed adjacent each seat of the series and an electric starting stamtion disposed at an aisle position with selective mea-ns disposed at thestation for pre determining the stopping position of the seat indicated.

l1. in a device of the class described, the l5 combination of two rowsof seats arranged in series, supporting elements for each seat of theseries, means disposed upon the snpporting elements ior determining thepath of travel or" the seats when moved relative t0 the supportingelement, an electric motor adapted to move the series of seatssimultaneously, a starting station for starting the electric motordisposed adjacent each seat of the series and an electric startingstation disposed at each station for predetermining` the stop positionof the seat indicated to be stopped at a predetermined stop location.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a series oftwo rows of seats arranged in an endless series, electric power meansfor moving the series of seats simultaneously in either direction and alike number of seats from either ron7 to the other, means disposed ateach seat and at a central station adapted to start the motor and tomove the seats of the series within a predetermined path of travel andto stop the movement at a predetermined stop location.

LEE OTIS THOMPSON.

